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Purpose of the Interview - The only purpose of the interview is to determine your suitability as a candidate for consideration. If you are deemed so, then an offer is the logical end in this process. While determining your possible placement with the employer, many factors are considered: employment history, education, accomplishments, personality, core values, motivations, and dominant attitudes. With all this to consider, the interviewer will ultimately decide if you are the excellent candidate to fill their outstanding opportunity.

Be ready. It is a competitive job market. Your contemporaries are likely as talented and eager as you. Often times, the decision of who to choose from a bank of candidates comes down to the presentation of your interview and conduct. Statistically, it has be demonstrated that often times the candidate provided the offer isn't always the most qualified. Interviewing skills are paramount for you success. So practice, practice, practice.

Also, remind yourself that this is an interview for both parties. You should be just as interested in knowing if this employer is a good fit for you. Don't let the opportunity to discover this pass by. Ask as many questions as you feel are relevant.

Preparation - Understand your position. Know how you truly feel about yourself, accomplishments, work history, and this new position. Take stock of your strengths, weaknesses, life goals, and whether you fit in the client company's culture. Be ready to heartily discuss why you are the right candidate for the job.

Know what you are getting into. Fully researching the firm you are about to take the plunge with is imperative. Expect to explain why you are so attracted to the company. There are enormous resources at your disposal from which much of a company's inner-workings and culture can be ascertained.

A timely arrival to the interview is essential. It is the preface to your show stopping first performance--fifteen minutes prior to your scheduled interview is a sufficient. Make certain you allow traffic time. You may even drive the route a day prior to the interview.

Ensure you check your appearance one final time before the interview. Perform a final check of your outfit, grooming and facial expression. If it is winter time, run warm water over your hands just prior to the meeting; ensuring your hands do not sweat from the drastic temperature change during the walk from your car to the office where the interview is conducted.

You are ready to impress them with your brilliance. Confidence! Remember, you were offered this interview based on your credentials and work experience. They want to talk to you. This is your time to shine.

Body language is also something to be mindful of. The message your body sends is just as important as what you have to say. Keep eye contact when speaking or listening to the interviewer. Maintain good posture and don't shuffle in your chair. When speaking, annunciate clearly and succinctly.

There are a few important items you should bring to the interview: three (3) references (full name, work and home phone numbers), drivers license, resume, completed application (if required), pad and pen (to take notes during interview). A cell phone can be detrimental; and should be chosen on a case-by-case basis; turning the ringer off is a must.

Appearance - There are a few suggestions which may beg your consideration.

For male candidates, we suggest:

-Hair should be freshly cut, shampooed, groomed and free of dandruff.

-Fingernails should be manicured or trimmed, and clean in appearance.

-There should be a minimal amount of jewelry displayed; a watch, weeding ring, or class ring is acceptable.

-If you wear cologne, choose a fragrance that is unobtrusive. Remember, you are there to interview for the job of your dreams; not to meet someone socially.

-Use deodorant.

-Ensure your dress shirt is cleaned and pressed. Dependant upon the time of year and type of suit you will be wearing to the interview, color choice is a consideration. If you are unsure which color best accentuates your attire, a plain white dress shirt is always acceptable.

-Choose a tie that is subtle and quietly compliments the outfit.

-Black or blue half calf dress socks.

-Simple black dress shoes will tastefully finish off your suit of choice. Ensure they are freshly polished.

-In choosing a suit, we suggest staying with a black, dark blue or charcoal fabric. Single or double breasted suits are equally acceptable and a matter of taste.

For male candidates, we caution:

-Do not wear the latest hair style that you would show off at a night club.

-Fingernails should not be painted or adorned.

-Do not wear ear rings, club rings or any other type of jewelry except that which is listed above.

-Do not choose a dress shirt or suit with a loud pattern or distracting design. Your shirt should be understated.

-Do not wear an offensive tie. Your purpose is not to agitate the interviewer. Leave the loud tie for the next golf tournament.

-Do not wear old, dirty, or weathered dress shoes.

For female candidates, we suggest:

-Hair should be freshly cut, shampooed groomed and free of dandruff.

-Fingernails should be manicured or trimmed short and clean in appearance. Fingernail polish should be subtle in color choice.

-Makeup should be applied minimally and natural in appearance.

-There should be a minimal amount of jewelry worn. A watch, wedding ring or discrete earrings are acceptable.

-If perfume in worn, then choose a fragrance that is unobtrusive. Remember, you are there to interview for the job of your dreams and not to meet someone socially.

-Use deodorant.

-Ensure your blouse/business suit is cleaned and pressed. Dependent upon the time of year and type of suit you wear, color choice is a consideration.

-Simple closed toe pumps will tastefully finish your outfit of choice. Ensure they are freshly polished and are color coordinate. Verify that your shoes are not tattered.

-In choosing a suit, we suggest black, dark blue or charcoal colors.

For female candidates, we caution:

-Hair should not be outrageous in nature.

-Fingernails should not be dirty. Loud or brassy fingernail polish should be avoided.

-Makeup should not be excessive, suggestive or appear unnatural.

-Refrain from wearing pins, broaches, bows, hats, ties or any obnoxious ornamentation.

-Refrain from wearing suggestive or overbearing perfume.

-Use deodorant.

-Do not wear a busy or loud patterned blouse.

-Do not wear panty hose which possess holes or runs.

-Do not wear an open toe pump or sandal.

-Your suit should not be loud. Your outfit should not cling too closely to the body.

The Interview - You are there, and confidence is high. The excitement to learn more about this fantastic job opportunity builds. Don't forget the sole purpose of being there. Acquire a job offer.

You may be in the interview process with another company. It's good to have choices. It is also important that you not attempt to pit the company your are currently interviewing against another interested party. This would likely leave a bad impression of your commitment in pursuing the position. Show some enthusiasm and excitement about the company. Engage the interviewer with thought provoking questions which bring to light the position as a whole; and the opportunity it provides.

Attitude is everything at this point. Sell them on your greatest assets and why you are the right person for the job. The door does swing both ways. Let them sell you on their company as well. Be sure to pose poignant questions about their history, culture and position that will help you arrive to a place where you will know if you want the company to make an offer.

Typically, the interview process proceeds in a logical way. Dependent upon their protocol, how may interviews, who will interview you and the types of question you will encounter can differ from company to company.

Now that the interview is over, it is time to make a decision. Are you interested in an offer? If you are still uncertain about some part of the client company, then now is the time to pose any questions to gain clarity. If there are none and you wish to proceed, then it is time to make your intentions known. Tell them you want the job.

Explain to the interview with complete understanding of what the job entails that you are eager to take on the position. Ask when you can expect to receive an answer.

Q & A:  What to Expect - When the questions begin, remember to keep eye contact, good posture and not fidget in your chair. Interviews can be unnerving for some. It you focus on what the interviewer is asking and not on yourself, then you will likely find the anxiety will disappear or diminish to a large degree.

You are there to sell yourself. Ensure your answers are complete and delivered with confidence and enthusiasm. Some questions will call on more information than others. Try to be mindful of what is called for. Please cover our example interview questions. They cover an ample range of questions you will likely be posed. Suggested responses and directions you may take your responses are also provided.

While the interview proceeds, the interview will likely take notes of your responses. Don be distracted if this is necessary. The interviewer is listening to every word.

It is important that you are honest with your responses throughout the entire interview. Those recorded notes tend to be checked when the response is incredible. It would be a shame to lose a great opportunity based on an exaggeration to appear more knowledgeable on a topic than you may be.

What You Should Ask - You are also there to ask questions. You are interviewing the company as much as the company is interviewing you. Take an active role in seeking out answers to questions you have about working with them. After all, your are giving them your best and certainly deserve to understand what the position entails.

The questions should develop naturally from the research you have done on the client company. Most successful companies have a web site. Researching a company to determine its strengths and what it has to offer is a rudimentary task.

Asking questions also provides you the opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of the industry. It tends to aid in relaxing the interview because both parties are actively engaged. This is also a great way to build rapport with the client company early on in the process. It is important to remember:

-Pose your questions without being abrasive.

-You may wish to bring a list of questions to the interview.

-Ask questions requiring an explanation and not a yes or no response.

-Ask question relevant to the client company, products/services provided, and personnel.

-Ask about your potential subordinates and superiors.

-Ask the interviewer about their experiences with the client company.

Suggested questions you might pose:

-Why is the position open? What are the responsibilities, duties, authority, career opportunities accompanying the position?

-Why is this position not being filled from within your organization?

-How many people have held this position in the last ten years? Were they promoted or dismissed? Why did they move on?

-What are the challenges of the position?

-Explain a typical day on the job.

-What are the client company's growth plans?

-Has there ben downsizing with the company?

-What projects would I be involved with now and in the future?

-When would you need me to start?

-Can I take a tour of the company?

-May I meet some of the staff?

-Tell me more about the company culture and how closely it is followed?

-Who started the company?

-Explain the compensation package to me including: pay, vacation, sick leave, insurance, bonus, etc.

Follow Through - Call your associate with Spencer Edington immediately after the interview. We want your feedback on the experience with the client company, thoughts on the position available, and how interested you are. If there are still questions you didn't feel were adequately addressed or need more clarification about, then let us know. After you have debriefed us, we will then contact the client company and request the same feedback of their experience with you. We will then contact you regarding the information gathered from the client company debrief.

Thank You Letter - It is good form to tender a short letter of appreciation to the employer for their time and consideration. Take the opportunity to once again express your interest in the position, enthusiasm with joining their team and ability to perform the job. Your interviewer will more-likely remember you when it come down to making the final decision. Ensure you mail or email by the following day. Please see an example by selecting the "Thank You Letter" link from the "Correspondence" link on the "Interview Tools" menu.